NVC Filers - June 2013

[Chloezilla 2]

It was the new one.

Turns out the only mistake on the form was that he stated the household number as 1, when it should include me, making it 2!

He's gotta fill it in again and over night it tomorrow. Gahhh!! Hope it doesn't delay us too much. Already been on hold for a month thanks to the new version.

[NikLR 13,227]

If they're processing it then it shouldn't take too much longer. Ship it overnight. Also he can call the day he knows they have it and ask for it to be reviewed by a supervisor.

[Chloezilla 2]

It's gonna be over nighted to them today. Do you need a reason for supervisor review? And is it always quicker?

Thanks.

[mayb 1]

My I-130 application was received on June 10. When I go to the USCIS website and enter my case number (it starts with MSC) it gives me the option to check processing times but only for the Vermont Service Center. If my case number starts with MSC doesn't that mean it went to a different location?

It is still showing that the USCIS National Average processing time for the I-130 is 6.6 months. How much longer on average after the acceptance of the I-130 does it take to get your interview? I'm guessing it all depends on case by case basis?

I'm also a little worried, my package was very black and white, just giving them exactly what was asked for on the I-130 directions. I did not include a cover letter or anything. I'm really nervous now that this will come back to us.

I was reading somewhere on this boards that if you file at the Chicago Lockbox facility from abroad with an international address your case may be expedited. Are people still seeing this happening?

I don't think any of these questions can really be answered. I'm just so stressed out and so ready to move back home and my UK visa expires in January and we aren't looking to extend it. This is an incredibly frustrating situation and all our fault because we didn't start the processes sooner!

[Chloezilla 2]

Mayb,

Our I-130 took about 2.5 months to be approved, that was with no RFE's. I have seen ppl on this forum who have taken 8 months to get approved, but ours was quite straight forward (married 18 months, lived together in UK for 12 months).

We sent it to Chicago lockbox but found out later it was actually forwarded and processed in the Baltimore field office. I wasn't aware that the case number told you where it was. Mine started the same as yours.

Edited June 18, 2013 by Chloezilla

[Hilario 13]

I feel lke it's ground hogs day with Bill Murray during this NVC process thanks to the new I-864 debacle

[JennyWhiteley 2]

My I-130 application was received on June 10. When I go to the USCIS website and enter my case number (it starts with MSC) it gives me the option to check processing times but only for the Vermont Service Center. If my case number starts with MSC doesn't that mean it went to a different location?

It is still showing that the USCIS National Average processing time for the I-130 is 6.6 months. How much longer on average after the acceptance of the I-130 does it take to get your interview? I'm guessing it all depends on case by case basis?

I'm also a little worried, my package was very black and white, just giving them exactly what was asked for on the I-130 directions. I did not include a cover letter or anything. I'm really nervous now that this will come back to us.

I was reading somewhere on this boards that if you file at the Chicago Lockbox facility from abroad with an international address your case may be expedited. Are people still seeing this happening?

I don't think any of these questions can really be answered. I'm just so stressed out and so ready to move back home and my UK visa expires in January and we aren't looking to extend it. This is an incredibly frustrating situation and all our fault because we didn't start the processes sooner!

Hi there

Firstly don't panic, I know this is a very scary and confusing process, but at least you are still with your spouse which is lovely, I haven't seen my husband in four months.

Hopefully your case will be fine as you followed the USCIS guidlines, but from now on scour Visa Journey and read up on the next steps so you are head of the game. The first post on this forum gives you step by step details of the NVC process (after your visa approval) and it would be prudent for you to look at it now-

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/370651-nvc-filers-june-2012/

Your case number starts with MSC because as of this press release by the USCIS (http://tinyurl.com/9qkp6wf), all stand alone I-130's are being sent to the NBC and the forwarded onto your local field office (the one being nearest where you will me moving back to in the states, you can figure out which Is yours by going here and typing in your zip code - http://tinyurl.com/2rjwce)

This is a good thing, as the NBC cases are being processed relatively fast! As you are filing from abroad, your case may remain at the NBC and not be sent onwards to a local office. Cases filed from abroad are taking anywhere from 1-3 months, so hopefully this is still the case. What I did with mine was enter my MSC code into the USCIS website and then change the last numbers, so I could see how many of those either side of mine were being approved. My husband contacted our local senator when, after under 2 months, most around my case had already been approved. She looked into it, found that it was at the Philadelphia field office, and although they cannot do anything to speed up the process I am convinced her inquiry lead to my approval on May 14th.

The case took 1 month to reach the NVC (and MANY emails & phone calls to the NVC & the senators office to find out where it was, as it should usually take less than 3 weeks from your NOA2(approval) for you to receive and NVC case number)

The speed at the NVC is variable, but you can see people's statistics here - http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/irstats.php

The speed at the NVC also depends on how prepared you are, have a long read through the first post with Saylin quoted here as to what happens in this process and what you need to start doing now-

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/370651-nvc-filers-june-2012/

I am hoping we will be done with the NVC in a month so I can hopefully have an August interview.

I hope this helps, and the very best of luck to you! At least you are together

Xxxx

[mayb 1]

Mayb,

Our I-130 took about 2.5 months to be approved, that was with no RFE's. I have seen ppl on this forum who have taken 8 months to get approved, but ours was quite straight forward (married 18 months, lived together in UK for 12 months).

We sent it to Chicago lockbox but found out later it was actually forwarded and processed in the Baltimore field office. I wasn't aware that the case number told you where it was. Mine started the same as yours.

what are RFE's? this is really uplifting to read! We've been married for about 18 months and have lived together in the UK for about 18 months, so we have pretty similar cases! If we are as lucky as you we could hopefully be looking for an interview by October/November time?

I'm not quite sure if the case number does or not but I feel like I read that somewhere. Do you know what your case number started with?

[Chloezilla 2]

what are RFE's? this is really uplifting to read! We've been married for about 18 months and have lived together in the UK for about 18 months, so we have pretty similar cases! If we are as lucky as you we could hopefully be looking for an interview by October/November time?

I'm not quite sure if the case number does or not but I feel like I read that somewhere. Do you know what your case number started with?

RFE = request for evidence. It's when they ask for more documents or a correction on a form. We just got one from nvc for writing "1" instead of "2" - frustrated is not the word!

Couldn't you file for DCF?

You could also try to request an expidite because your visa is running out? Some people say you can't request expedite unless its life or death - but I don't believe that. If you don't ask you don't get!

[JennyWhiteley 2]

Mayb,

Our I-130 took about 2.5 months to be approved, that was with no RFE's. I have seen ppl on this forum who have taken 8 months to get approved, but ours was quite straight forward (married 18 months, lived together in UK for 12 months).

We sent it to Chicago lockbox but found out later it was actually forwarded and processed in the Baltimore field office. I wasn't aware that the case number told you where it was. Mine started the same as yours.

The case number usually does tell you where your case number is:

CSC - California service centre

VSC - Vermont service centre

TSC - Texas service centre

NSC - Nebraska service centre

MSC - National Benefits Centre or NBC (previously known as the Missouri Service centre, hence the MSC code)

As per this notice by the USCIS (http://tinyurl.com/9qkp6wf) all stand alone I-130's are being sent to the NBC where they can either remain there or be forwarded on to a local field office. Sme are, some are not. Mine was sent to the Philadelphia field office, but they do not tell you this, you either have to phone and ask for a tier 2 advisor and ask if it has been sent on, or in our case get your local senator involved, who found out where our case was and when it had been sent there

[JennyWhiteley 2]

what are RFE's? this is really uplifting to read! We've been married for about 18 months and have lived together in the UK for about 18 months, so we have pretty similar cases! If we are as lucky as you we could hopefully be looking for an interview by October/November time?

I'm not quite sure if the case number does or not but I feel like I read that somewhere. Do you know what your case number started with?

RFE's are requests for evidence if you have forgotten to send something, or written something incorrectly in the forms. If you followed the USCIS guidelines you should be ok!

Hopefully you will get an October/November/December interview! Xxx

[JennyWhiteley 2]

RFE = request for evidence. It's when they ask for more documents or a correction on a form. We just got one from nvc for writing "1" instead of "2" - frustrated is not the word!

Couldn't you file for DCF?

You could also try to request an expidite because your visa is running out? Some people say you can't request expedite unless its life or death - but I don't believe that. If you don't ask you don't get!

I agree with the if you don't ask you don't get! If I might ask, what were the grounds that you requested your expedite? I really want one!!! Although I'm a lot less stressed now as I get to see my husband for 12 blissful days in Portugal after not seeing him for 4 months

[sweety-sweet 1]

My husband paid the AOS fee on Wed night (June 12, 2013). It was not showed as paid but they took out $88 from his account on Friday (June 14, 2013). Should I call NVC if I cant find PAID this afternoon?

Can I (beneficiary) email the AOS package to NVC?

Thank you always for all your help.

[BIZ 5]

My husband paid the AOS fee on Wed night (June 12, 2013). It was not showed as paid but they took out $88 from his account on Friday (June 14, 2013). Should I call NVC if I cant find PAID this afternoon?

Can I (beneficiary) email the AOS package to NVC?

Thank you always for all your help.

If you are part of the electronic processing program, u can email your package right a way to NVC. If not, i recommend that u mail it to them asap. They are having issues with the online payment portal, mine took about a week to show as "PAID." Since they took the money from your account, u are good to go.

[mayb 1]

RFE = request for evidence. It's when they ask for more documents or a correction on a form. We just got one from nvc for writing "1" instead of "2" - frustrated is not the word!

Couldn't you file for DCF?

You could also try to request an expidite because your visa is running out? Some people say you can't request expedite unless its life or death - but I don't believe that. If you don't ask you don't get!

Yes, I would be so frustrated at such a small error! Right before we sealed our envelope we looked back over the form and I had written his birthday wrong (put our wedding date as they are so close together and I was so sick of writing dates!) and we also realized I had put my birthday in the day-month instead of month-day form. I've already been living and working in Britain for too long! haha

and Jenny thank you for that amazing reply! I have a feeling I will be living on these boards in the coming months, what a lovely community to have! I am so sorry to hear you aren't able to be with your husband during this time, the prospect of being apart is what is giving me the most anxiety about this entire situation!

it's good to know there are phone numbers and people you can chase up to help this process along I will be watching it like a hawk!